1957 Austin Healey Other BN4

Up for auction is my early production 1957 Austin Healey BN4 100-6 in unrestored original condition. This is a historically significant car because it is an early production 100-6, built in October 1957, at the Longbridge factory in England (before production was moved to Abingdon where they were later built alongside Austin Healey Sprites and MGA’s).This car is a matching numbers car with the original “Gallery Head” engine and 4 speed gearbox. This car is optioned with overdrive, adjustable steering wheel and an extremely rare and desirable Factory Works hardtop. The car also comes with its original jack, full tool kit, convertible top, Tourneau cover, side curtains and owner’s manual and workshop manual and a chrome luggage rack

This car has 94K miles on the odometer…The VIN # is BN4 – L 49335). It is a four-seater 2+2, 4 speed with Overdrive, wire wheel car. Amazingly, it wears most of its original factory Black paint in good condition. The Hardtop, bonnet, shroud area, engine compartment, truck, doors and upper fenders all appear to be original paint!!!!. Lower front fenders and outer sills have been touched up. Seats were reupholstered in vinyl and the carpets are brand new. The car still has its 70’s Michelin Redline tires. Worn a bit but they look really good on this car. The car sits really nice, not like the later 3000’s that are way too high off the ground. In Black with the hardtop this car has a really tough look!

This car still retains its original matching nos. 6 cylinder “Gallery Head” engine (2639cc) and 4 speed gearbox. Engine # is BN4-U-49335). It is believed that the engine was never apart. This BN4 100-6 has the infamous and very rarely seen today 2 port “Gallery Head” engine with H4 carbs. The 2 port intake is actually cast into the head. It is rare to see today since almost all have been swapped out over the past 58 years for the slightly more powerful 6-port / separate head and intake of the later 100-6. The original H4 carbs are the 100-4 (Bn2)type with the canister air cleaners, also rare to find and see on a 100-6.

Car comes with a White convertible top in good condition, side curtains, luggage rack, Cherry wood steering wheel (I retained the original), spare wheel, original jack and tool kit, owners manuals and some parts receipts. It is a strong runner and is an honest, unrestored and unmolested car that apparently was maintained, garaged and well cared for by its previous owners.

Mechanicals: The Healey is currently registered in New York State, Insured and has been safety inspected 3 months ago. It sits garaged / covered in Huntington, New York (Long Island). Turn the key, hear the fuel pump tick, pull the choke out and the quiet turning starter cranks the engine to life. Engine idles at 1000 and is very smooth running like a sewing machine. Oil pressure is strong at 70 psi and it revs quickly to 5500 rpms.It runs very strong but does have some minor oil leaks when left sitting for a couple of weeks as all British cars do. Once the engine warms up after a minute or so, you push in the choke and off you go. Engine acceleration is smooth and that new stainless steel exhaust system sounds terrific!!!!! The engine runs cool and doesn’t overheat and does not smoke. All lights, signals, brake lights work fine.

Shocks are soft and need rebuilding. Ride is a bit bouncy at times. Steering seems a bit heavy at slow speeds but lightens at speed. Front wheel alignment was just done. Gearbox is quiet and pulls well in all 4 gears without any grinds, noises or hesitation. Downshifting is fine and the clutch is light and a pleasure to shift up and down through all the gears. The side shifting gear lever is very comfortable to drive with. You can literally drive it 60-80 mph all day long. It has a comfortable road feel at cruising speed and an incredible sounding crisp exhaust note.

The following are new parts/services:

New Derrington English Cherry Wood steering wheel (adjustable)

New factory quality Red pile carpet set

New rear wheel cylinders, flex brake hose and bleeder screws

New Master Cylinder (Clutch)

New tune up parts (wires, cap, rotor, plugs, oil filter)

New Complete Stainless Steel Exhaust system including Headers and Muffler

New Chrome aftermarket Luggage rack

The brake system is very good and the car stops quickly in a straight line with no fade or pulling to either side. Brake shoes are all in good condition and the rear brake cylinders are new along with new brake flexible hoses. Engine runs cool with no overheating at all. Radiator has build date stamped on front (9 57). Charging system works as it should. All gauges and lights, signals, brake lights work well.

Body: Body is straight and accident free! Engine compartment still has its original paint, hoses, electrical relays and switches. The car was never repainted from what I can tell just touched up near the rear front fenders and sill area. Paint is still shiny and presentable but has some scratches, chips, dings and areas where paint is thinning revealing red factory primer (which I find fascinating).

Fenders, doors, inner and outer sills are original panels. There is somebondo in the bottom rear and front fenders where they meet the door. There is some rust in the lower rear fenders in front of the wheel, rocker panels, lower door pillars and front passenger outrigger but all that can be patched or repaired without an extensive body off restoration. The frame is straight and accident free, nothing of major consequence to me. When I inspected this car before I bought it I had the car up on a lift with a shop light in my hand and there was nothing that scared me that couldn’t be repaired or prevented me to drive the car with safety in mind. Floor pans have been patched, repaired, primed and repainted. Trunk area surrounding gas tank is rust free and solid.

Front windshield glass and all chrome including front grill and chrome trim rings are original and in fair condition. Luggage rack is new and an aftermarket period item.

Interior:The dash is 100% original with working original gauges, buttons and knobs. Gauges chrome trim rings have some pitting. Dash top has some cracking and missing and torn vinyl. Red pile carpet from England is original type and of a high quality (purchased from Scarborough Fair). Seats are Black and have been recovered at some point in the cars life. Door panels / kick panels are original and in good condition. Original banjo steering wheel comes with the car. Aluminum cockpit rails are in good condition with a nice tight fit. Doors close nice and lock. Convertible top bows come with the car with a White convertible top. Side curtains are there too. The Tourneau cover is original but has shrunk over the years. Looks to be about 4 inches too short.

The Factory Works hardtop is to die for and a great option to have…. These are extremely rare (numbered by the factory) and sought after and go for around $5,000 if someone will sell you one. I am told that they add at least 10% to the cars value. This hardtop is 100% original and in very good condition. Original headliner and hardware are all there. Rear window is nice and clear but not perfect. Paint is nice except for some minor scratches and a small 3 inch area on the driver’s side. The car seems tighter and quitter with the hardtop on. I love driving with it on especially during these past winter months.

Closing: This is a60 year old car so it is sold “AS IS” with no expressed or implied warrantee or guarantees. I am not a broker or a dealer so this is a private sale that is final. It is sold “WHERE IS” in Huntington, New York and if transported will be the cost of the buyer. I have set a reasonable reserve on the car. Hagerty Insurance Co has an agreed upon value of $35,000. You are welcome to see and drive the car to insure satisfaction.

Original Austin Healy’s are almost impossible to find these days especially in unrestored, unmolested condition. The early “Big Healey’s” are very sought after by collectors and car enthusiasts and are rapidly appreciating in the lower six-figures for well restored cars or excellent original low mileage cars (yeah if you can find them). This car in # 1 condition would be $100,000+ (see Hagerty Valuation tool).

I personally think the 100-6’s are the best looking cars out of all the six cylinder cars. The body sits lower and has nicer lines than the 3000’s and they don’thave that ugly convertible top sticking out the back. Who needs roll up windows anyway!!!

I have a current valid transferrable New York state registration. The state of New York does not issues titles on cars built prior to 1972.

If you are a serious buyer and have any questions or need any detailed photos please call or text me at 631-339-3349 or contact me through E-Bay email by asking me a question. I will sell to Europe/ worldwide and to anyone who appreciates this early Austin Healey BN4 100-6. I have the right to end this auction early since I will advertise on other venues. I will request a $500 deposit within 24 hours and the balance shortly thereafter. I will hold the car for you until payment and transportation has been made. The payment of two private college tuitions forces sale…enough said. Thanks for your interest. Dave.